ALTHOUGH Wanderers are hurting now, coach Dan Beckett is confident the Two Blues have the blocks in place to ensure they challenge again next year for a Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union premiership.
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The surprise packets of 2019, Wanderers fell at the final hurdle, going down to a relentless Hamilton 36-7 in the grand final at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
"There is so much talent in there," Beckett said of the Two Blues dressing room. "We knew that our best rugby would win the game but we didn't play it. We are a strong club, will stay tight and be back next year."
Wanderers threw everything at the Hawks and had their chances.
Chase Hicks scored a brilliant solo effort to reduce the margin to 17-7 at half-time and, with the wind at their backs, the scene was set for a second-half charge.
George Ashworth, Luke Sherwood and Luke Simmons broke the Hawks line but were either thwarted by desperate defence or the final pass missed the target.
"We knew we had to take our moments and we didn't," Beckett said. "The way Hamilton play, they just strangle you out of it. If you don't take your opportunities, you know you are going to be with your head underwater for periods. In the end, we lost our physicality because we ran out of gas."
A lot of that gas was expended at the set piece. Wanderers' lineout lacked fluency without general Ignacio Battilana (calf).
The scrum fought hard but by the final 20 minutes was in reverse.
"Hamilton's strength is their depth, across the front row in particular," Beckett said . "I was proud of our boys. I thought our scrum held up OK. Physically they were worn out. Hamilton out-played us. It was as simple as that."
It wasn't only the forward pack which was spent.
Fijian centre Nimi Qio,the competition's leading try-scorer with 21, succumbed to injury early in the second half.
"We were busted before we went on. It has been a big few weeks," Beckett said. "Nimi did his shoulder and his knee in the first 20 minutes. He was one of many who played through pain. He didn't want to let the boys down."